I know I hang around here too much. I like you folks and I get to read great writing.
today I had planned to mention who should be our next President.
I got knocked around when I mentioned Elizabeth Warren. Okay, I
believe her and all of you, she is not running.
Tonight is Christmas Eve. I like tonight more than Chrismas day.I remember as a kid being
all excited about presents, my step-father would ring real sleigh bells, and that was a sign we were allowed to come to the tree. What seemed like seconds, presents were opened, and it felt like Christmas was finished.
I learned about what Christmas is really about in Vietnam. We would
sing Christmas carols and eat bad food. I learned how to love friends, how to hug,
And lie about not missing being home. Even the big tough company commander was in a good mood.
A few years passed, and I would always drive from Seattle to Salem, Oregon where I grew up. I went to my Grandma's house. I still remember knocking on her front door and watching her run and greet me. She was barely 5 feet tall, and I am 6'3 inches tall. The
look she gave me as she looked up at me was pure love. I wouldn't trade that look for
anything. Her love for me came with no conditions. It didn't matter to her if I had "robbed a bank," she loved me and I loved her.
Every relative of mine was there, and I felt truly happy. She has been gone from me for
many years. She moved into my memories and she will forever stay there. Promise me
you won't care what your present is. I always got a dollar from Grandma. She had lots
of relatives and little money. I treasured that dollar because it came from her.
Tonight and tomorrow are about love, and all that you have to be thankful for.I don't
care if Jesus was born tonight or tomorrow or in the spring. Christmas is when we
celebrate his birthday. He created nature, sunrises and sunsets and rainbows. The bad stuff is man's fault.
Give your loved ones a hug, smile and be thankful you live where you do. I want tonight
and tomorrow to be full of magic and joy for all of you.
Merry Christmas.
Peek under the fold.
-Christmas waves a magic
wand over this world, and
behold, everything is softer
and more beautiful.
-Norman Vincent Peale